Russian Federation fires 7 cruise missiles at IS in Syria

In a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, dated September 6, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has dedicated the victory in Deir ez-Zor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian government and nation.

"The targets included command centers, communication hubs, as well as ammunition depots in the Daesh-controlled areas to the east of the city of Deir ez-Zor", the statement read. However, they still control rural areas outside the city and the border with Iraq.

They said that while the militants still control rural areas outside the city and the border with Iraq, they are now encircled by Syrian troops from three sides, with their backs to the Euphrates River.

The extremist group agreed to evacuate territory, for the first time, from a district on the Syria-Lebanon border on August 28. The Hezbollah-negotiated deal allowed the evacuation in exchange for locating the remains of Lebanese soldiers and the release of fighters.

The proximity of the two forces raises the specter of confrontation, as both sides vie for the border with Iraq and the oil and resources-rich province. US-led and Russian strikes in support of the separate campaigns have killed dozens of civilians in recent days, including some fleeing the fighting and seeking shelter in tents along the banks of the Euphrates, according to the Observatory.

The strikes hit several parts of the eastern province, where parallel Russian and US-backed ground offensives are under way against the Islamic State group.

The convoy was stranded in the desert for about two weeks, even though reports claim that some of the vehicles were able to slip into the militant-held territory.